Anchoring-pivot for mechanical toys.



J. ANDERSON, JR.

ANCHOBING PIVOT FOR MECHANIQAL TOYS. APPLICATION FILED SEPT-9.1915.

1 ,1 89,647. Patented July 4, 1916.

JAMES ANDERSON, JR.,

or OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

ANCHORING-PIVOT FOR MECHANICAL TOYS.

Application filed September 9, 1915.

"is a specification.

This invention has as its object to pro.-

'- vide a device designed for use in connection with mechanical toys of that class Which embody a motor designed to propel the toy over a floor or table surface, the aim of the invention being to add to the amusement and enjoyment which maybe derived from such toys.

A disadvantage possessed by toys of the class above mentioned is that after the motor for propelling the same has been started and the toy has been set in motion upon the floor or table surface, it must after a few moments be picked up in order to prevent its striking and marring articles of furniture or falling from the table or the like.

The present invention, therefore, aims to provide for use in connection with such toys, a device which may be appropriately termed an anchoring pivot and which when employed in connection with such a toy will control the path of travel of the toy and confine its travel to a certain definite area so that after having been set in motion it may be allowed to run until its motor ceases to operate.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a device for the purpose stated which may be manufactured at a low cost and which may be employed in connection with various kinds of mechanical toys of the general class mentioned and which, by reason of the fact that it may be readily connected to and disconnected from such a toy, will permit of the toy being employed in the ordinary manner if desired.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the manner of using the device embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device. Fig. 3 is a detail vertical sectional view illustrating another manner in which the device may be employed.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

Specification of Letters Patent.

other suitable cushioning material.

Patented July 4, leis.

Serial No. 49,774.

The device embodying the present invention includes a base 1 which although preferably circular in outline, may be of some other shape if desired, and this base is preferably of relatively large diameter so as to insure against overturning or shifting of the device while in use and in'order that it may not mar the finish of a floor or table upon which it is disposed, it is provided upon its underside with a disk 2 of felt or The base is provided upon its upper side and axially with'an upstanding boss 3 and at its upper end this boss is provided with an upstanding pin or stud 4 which may be integral therewith or secured thereto in any suitable manner. All this point it may be stated that the device may be made from wood, sheet metal provided with a suitable weighting filling, or of cast metal, the device in any event possessing sulficient weight to insure of its stability when in use. The pin 4 is cylindrical and smooth and for a purpose to be presently explained is provided in its upper end with a diametrically extending kerf or groove 5. The device further includes a light but strong cord or other flexible element indicated at 6 to one end of which is connected a ring 7 interiorly of greater diameter than the pin 4 and to the other end of which is connected a hook or loop Or other suitable attaching element indicated at 8.

In using the device as illustrated in Fig. l of the drawings, the hook Sis engaged with some convenient part of the toy which in the drawings is indicated at 9 and the ring 7 is fitted to the pin 4. With the parts thus connected and the cord 6 taut, the toy may be setin motion and as the ring 7 loosely fits the pin 4, the toy will travel in a circular path about the pin 4 as a pivot or center, being prevented from deviating from this path by its connection with the said pin through the medium of the cord 6 and due to the weight of that portion of the device of which the pin 4 constitutes a part.

When the parts are connected as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the toy will travel in a circular path as above stated but if desired the toy may be caused to take a spiral path by engaging the cord 6, at a point adjacent its connection with the ring 7, in the groove or kerf 5 in the pin 4. When the cord is so engaged it will be wound about the said pin as the toy travels and due to the continual shortening of its length the toy will be guided in a spiral path gradually approaching the said pin 4. Also if desired, the cord may be first wound about the pin 4: and the toy then-set in motion, whereupon the toy will travel in a spiral path gradually moving away from the pin & until the cord has been completely unwound whereupon in the continued or further travel of the toy the cord will be again gradually wound about the pin a and the toy will travel in'a spiral path approaching the said pin.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1- 1. In a device of-the class described, an anchoring member having a pivot stud, a flexible connection, an element carried by the connection and rotatably engageable with the said pivot element, an attaching element carried by the said connection, and means for restraining the first-mentioned element Orgies or this patent may be obtained for against rotation with relation to the pivot member.

2. In a device of the class described, an anchoring member having a pivot stud provided with a kerf, a flexible connection rotatably engageable with the said pivot stud and adapted for engagement in the said In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JAMES ANDERSON, JR. he

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner e1 Patents, Washington, D. G. t 

